title
CC - (1) Designation of the City’s Voting Delegate and up to Two Alternate-Delegates for the 2019 League of California Cities Annual Conference; (2) Consideration of a Position on the League of California Cities’ Resolution Pertaining to Calling Upon the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to Amend Rule 20A to Include Projects in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones; and (3) Consideration of a Position on the League of California Cities’ Resolution Pertaining to the Environmental and Water Quality Impacts of International Transboundary River Pollution Flow.
body
Meeting Date: September 23, 2019
Contact Person/Dept: Shelly Wolfberg/City Manager’s Office
Phone Number: (310) 253-6000
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No []
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: [X]
Commission Action Required: Yes [] No [X] Date:
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (09/17/19);
Department Approval: John M. Nachbar (09/09/19)
______________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council (1) designate the City’s Voting Delegate and up to two Alternate-Delegates for the 2019 League of California Cities Annual Conference; (2) consider a position on the League of California Cities’ Resolution pertaining to calling upon the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to amend Rule 20A to include projects in very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones; and (3) consider a position on the League of California Cities’ Resolution pertaining to the environmental and water quality impacts of International Transboundary River pollution flow.
BACKGROUND
The City of Culver City is a member of the League of California Cities (League). Each year, the League holds an Annual Conference during which time the General Assembly votes on various matters of policy, including any resolutions presented to the General Assembly in accordance with the League’s by-laws. This year’s annual League conference will take place in Long Beach from October 16 - 18, 2019.
In the past, a Resolution presented before the General Assembly was expected to be passed without much or any opposition (and the City Council had adopted a support position). However, based upon discussion at the General Assembly, the motion became the subject of significant conversation and debate amongst the delegates. As a result of this past situation, the City Council changed its practice to allow the Voting Delegate and Alternate Voting Delegate(s) sufficient discretion to react to a similar situation(s) should it arise at future conferences (and vote in a fully informed manner consistent with the general direction of the City Council). Accordingly, the City Council is requested to allow for some leeway for the Council Member voting at the General Assembly at the 2019 Annual Conference.
DISCUSSION
An important part of the Annual Conference is the Annual Business Meeting (during General Assembly), scheduled for 12:30 PM on Friday, October 18, at the Long Beach Convention Center. At this meeting, the League membership considers and takes action on resolutions that establish League policy. This year, Mayor Sahli-Wells has confirmed that she will be attending the 2019 Annual Conference. If a City Council Member indicates that he would like to attend this year’s conference, he can express interest to participate in the General Assembly voting process.
The General Assembly will consider the following two resolutions (Attachment):
Resolution No. 1:
Resolution Title - “A Resolution of the League of California Cities calling on the CPUC to amend Rule 20A to include projects in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones to the list of criteria for eligibility and to increase funding allocations for Rule 20A projects.”
This Resolution, in response to intensifying fire seasons and hazards associated with exposed energized utility lines, proposes the League call upon the CPUC to amend the Rule 20A program by expanding the criteria for undergrounding overhead utilities to include projects in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. This Resolution also proposes that the League call upon the CPUC to increase utilities’ funding allocations for Rule 20A projects.
Culver City’s Legislative and Policy Platform (Platform) includes a policy statement to support the increase in the Fire Department’s ability to provide Emergency Medical Services; fire suppression and rescue services; fire prevention; and arson investigation. These statements along with the Fire Department’s overall mission, goals, and objectives, inform a support position on Resolution No. 1.
Resolution No. 2:
Resolution Title - “A Resolution calling upon the federal and state governments to address the devastating impacts of international transboundary pollution flows into the southernmost regions of California and the Pacific Ocean.”
This Resolution refers to the Tijuana River, which flows east to west from Mexico and drains into the Pacific Ocean through the Tijuana River estuary. For decades, this river has experienced an increased discharge of trash, sediment, and wastewater generated on the Mexico side, which as a result of sewage infrastructure inadequacies has created recurring pollution problems. This Resolution directs the League of California Cities to call upon the state and federal governments to restore and ensure proper funding for the U.S. - Mexico Border Water Infrastructure Program and work bi-nationally to address water quality issues resulting from transboundary flows from Mexico’s Tijuana River into the United States containing untreated sewage, polluted sediment, and trash.
Culver City’s Platform includes policy statements to support: the advance clean-up of and improvements for waterways that affect the City; federal and state funding to support the assessment of water quality; and reasonable environmental regulations aimed at enhancing air and water quality. Although the Tijuana River is miles away from Culver City, because the river flows to the Pacific Ocean, it impacts water quality along the California coast. Additionally, to some extent, the quality of water in the Pacific Ocean has the potential to impact water quality in the estuary portion of Ballona Creek due to tidal flows. These statements inform a support position on Resolution No. 2.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
Neither designation of the Voting Delegate/Alternate Voting Delegate(s) nor taking a position on the resolutions create a fiscal impact on the City. However, should state or federal legislation change in accordance with the intent of the resolution, the City may experience a fiscal impact, the degree of which is difficult to estimate at this time. Additionally, if the City implements any additional programs or projects related to the Resolutions, there could be potential fiscal impacts. Staff would bring any future items related to this effort to the City Council for separate consideration.
ATTACHMENTS
2018-09-23 - ATT 2019 Annual Conference Resolution Packet
MOTION
That the City Council:
1. Designate Mayor/Council Member _______________ as the Voting Delegate and Mayor/Council Member(s) ______________ __________ as Alternate Voting Delegate(s); and,
2. Take a position:
A. in support of Resolution Number 1 or;
B. opposition of Resolution Number 1; and
3. Take a position:
A. in support of Resolution Number 2 or;
B. in opposition of Resolution Number 2; and
4. Authorize the Voting Delegate and Alternate Voting Delegate to cast votes exercising reasonable discretion in the case circumstances at the General Assembly warrant a change in vote; or
5. Provide alternate direction as deemed appropriate.